Elastic Fabrics And Methods And Apparatus For Making The Same

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to methods and apparatus for making a length of woven fabric comprising an elastomeric weft yarn. 
     The lengths of fabric obtained are particularly useful as shoulder straps for garments such as bras. Preferred embodiments relate to tapered fabric which is useful as a component of articles of clothing, especially a bra wing.

The present invention relates to elastic fabrics and methods of makingthe same. The fabrics are particularly suitable for incorporating intotextile goods, particularly clothing garments, and especially brassieresand other garments which include a shoulder strap. The fabric of theinvention can also be incorporated into other goods with straps, such asbags, carrying cases, etc.

It is known to make elastic shoulder straps having variable width alongtheir length. Because of their elasticity, the shoulder straps canfollow the movements of the body or the body parts of the wearer, sothat the article of clothing supported by the shoulder strap exerts notensile or compressive stresses or only slight tensile or compressivestresses onto the body of the wearer of the article of clothing. Ashoulder strap of this type is placed over the shoulder of the wearer,wherein the longitudinal middle portion of the shoulder strap rests onthe shoulder and the two shoulder strap portions connected to the middleportion extend downwardly along the chest and back, respectively, of thewearer and are connected at their ends to the article of clothing

U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,682 describes a shoulder strap that includes elasticwarp threads and weft threads extending transversely of and woven intothe elastic warp threads.

The strap has a longitudinal middle portion whose width is enlarged ascompared to the width of the shoulder strap portions extendinglongitudinally from the middle portion. The spacing between the elasticwarp threads in the middle portion is greater than the spacing of theelastic warp threads in the shoulder strap portions connected to themiddle portion. The number of weft threads per unit of length in thelongitudinal middle portion is greater than in the shoulder strapportions connected to the middle portion. The number of weft threads perunit of length in the middle portion may be approximately 50% greaterthan the number of weft threads per unit of length in the shoulder strapportions connected to the middle portion.

The present invention aims to provide a simple, quick and economicalmethod and apparatus for making an elastic fabric of variable width.

According to the invention there is provided a method of making a lengthof woven fabric having a variable width, the method comprising weavingwarp yarn with weft yarn; characterised in that the weft yarn is areelastomeric and the elastomeric weft yarn is arranged across the warpyarn to vary the width of the woven fabric along its length.

Conveniently, the method involves varying the tension under which theelastomeric weft yarn is laid across the warp yarn by varying the weftyarn feeding speed. Increasing the weft yarn feeding speed lowers thetension on the weft yarn and the width of the woven fabric increases.Lowering the weft yarn feeding speed increases the tension and the widthof the woven fabric decreases.

Hence, simply by controlling the elastomeric weft yarn feeding speed onecan control the width of the resulting woven fabric according to themethod of the invention.

Alternatively, or additionally, the tension under which the weft yarn islaid across the warp yarn can be varied by varying the weaving pattern.For example, weaving a weft thread under every other warp thread willproduce a tighter weave than weaving the weft thread under two or morewarp threads at a time.

Normally, a non-elastomeric yarn is used for the weft yarn in knownmethods of making shoulder straps. However, in a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention both the warp yarn and weft yarn are elastomeric.This produces a woven fabric that can be stretched along its length(i.e. warp-ways) and across its width (i.e. weft-ways). Stretchiness inboth directions leads to greater comfort for a user when the length of afabric is used as a shoulder strap as it makes the strap move with theshoulder muscles rather than causing abrasion by rubbing against theskin.

A particularly unexpected and advantageous property of fabric wovenaccording to the present invention is that when the fabric is stretchedclose to its maximum extent, its width increases compared to its widthin a relaxed state. This is particularly beneficial when the fabric isused as a shoulder strap because increasing the width spreads the loadover a bigger area. This reduces the pressure that a wearer will feel ontheir shoulder, making it much more comfortable than conventionalshoulder straps.

In a further aspect the invention provides a method of making a lengthof woven fabric, the method comprising weaving warp yarn withelastomeric weft yarn; characterised in that the elastomeric weft yarnis laid across the warp yarn under tension whereby the width of thewoven fabric increases compared to its width in a relaxed state uponapplying a longitudinal load to the fabric.

The invention also relates to a woven length of fabric characterised inthat the fabric comprises warp yarns and elastomeric weft yarns arrangedwhereby the width of the fabric can be increased compared to its widthin a relaxed state by applying a longitudinal load to the fabric.

Preferably, both the weft and warp yarns consist of or compriseelastomeric yarn.

Another advantage of the method of the invention is that the spacingbetween threads of the weft yarn is substantially the same throughoutthe length of the fabric. Hence the stretch and modulus properties willnot vary significantly between portions of the fabric having differentwidths.

In a preferred embodiment the method involves arranging the elastomericweft yarn across the warp yarn so as to produce a tapered fabric. By“tapered” we mean that the width of the fabric decreases incrementally.

Conveniently, such an arrangement is achieved by varying (i.e.increasing or decreasing) incrementally the tension under which theelastomeric weft yarn is fed across the warp yarn.

According to this embodiment the method can be used to produce taperedelastic fabric panels which are useful as components of a bra,especially wing (side) panels. Normally, a wing panel fora bra is madefrom several separate components, the elastic fabric being stitched tothe edges of the panel. However, such a multi-component construction hasthe disadvantage that it is complicated to assemble, bulky and sometimesuncomfortable for the wearer, especially on bras with larger cup sizes.

Bra wing panels made according to the method of the invention offerbetter levels of elastic support than known multicomponent panels, butthey are far easier to make and more comfortable to wear because theycan be made as a monocomponent seam-free fabric.

Improved support over conventional bra wing panels can result from theuse of elastomeric warp and weft yarns. The resulting woven fabric canstretch across its width in addition to the normal stretch along itslength.

In a still further aspect the invention provides a method for making alength of woven elastic fabric comprising weaving warp yarn andelastomeric weft yarn; wherein the pick density and/or weave pattern isvaried during weaving to produce two or more portions along the lengthand/or width of the woven fabric having different elasticmodulus/stretch properties.

The warp density can be used to vary the elastic modulus/stretchproperties across the width of the woven fabric, for instance, asdescribed in the following examples.

Preferably the warp yarns comprise or consist of elastomeric yarn.

Preferably, the pick density is varied by varying the speed of thetake-off roller of a weaving machine.

Conventional weaving machines are arranged to feed weft yarns at aconstant speed.

Thus, according to a further aspect the invention provides a weavingmachine wherein the machine is equipped with a controller for feedingweft yarn at two or more different speeds.

Preferably, the weaving machine is equipped with a sensor for detectinga predetermined length of fabric. Once a predetermined length has beendetected the sensor can signal the controller to vary the speed at whichthe weft yarn is fed and thereby vary the width of the resulting wovenfabric. Conveniently the controller is arranged to operate a motor, themotor being connected to the weft feed wheel of the weaving machine.

It will be appreciated that the preferred weaving machine of theinvention can be programmed or otherwise set to produce a length ofwoven fabric with a desired variable width pattern.

The invention also provides a weaving machine having a take-off rollerand having means to vary the speed of the take-off roller to vary thepick density during a weaving operation.

Alternatively or additionally, warp yarns of a higher/heavier count thanthose used in another portion of the fabric can be used to achieve twoor more portions having different elastic modulus properties.

In the illustrative example below, more warp ends per dent are used onthe outer edge portions than in the centre body panel. This is seen mostclearly from the drawing-in plan where the underband and underarmportions have 10 ends, whereas the centre body panel only has 2 ends perdent (see FIGS. 9A and 9B).

In an embodiment, the invention provides a tubular fabric formed from alength of woven fabric of the invention, such as a flat or open form ofthe fabric of the invention. Methods for manufacturing a tubular fabricfrom a flat or open form of a fabric are known in the art. For example,the OB1 AT116 system produced by Sew Systems Ltd., 53 Iliffe Avenue,Odeby, Leicester, LE5 5LH, England, provides a convenient automatedmethod whereby flat fabric is passed through a folder system which takesthe single flat strip and forms it into a tubular form which can be sewninto a garment.

Tubular fabrics are known to be of use in housing underwires (such asbrassiere wires) in underwired garments such as brassieres or swimmingcostumes. Thus, the tubular fabric of the invention may conveniently beused to house an underwire in an underwired garment (such as brassiereor swimming costume), for example where a tubular fabric having theadvantageous properties of the fabric of the invention are desired.

In a preferred embodiment, an anti-slip material is applied to widesections of the length of fabric after weaving. For example, a siliconemonolayer or two layers of silicone where the first layer is silicone(against the fabric surface) and has a higher viscosity than a secondsilicone layer on top of the first layer. The low viscosity silicone hasa much tackier (anti-slip) surface. Silicone with low viscosity has avery tacky nature but it bonds very weakly with textiles. Hence, byputting it over a higher viscosity silicone that bonds well withtextiles, the lower viscosity silicone layer bonds well with the higherviscosity silicone which in turn bonds well with the surface of thefabric to create a durable layer of tacky silicone on the surface of thefabric.

The use of such anti-slip material helps to prevent the increased widthsection from slipping off the shoulder of a wearer when the length offabric is used as a shoulder strap.

Instead of, or as well as, applying an anti-slip coating after weavingthe product a tacky material like natural rubber may be used in the warpyarn.

It is preferred that the above methods and apparatus are used incombination with one or more of the other aspects of the invention.

Details of exemplary preferred embodiments of the above methods andapparatus of the invention are provided in the following Examples andFigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1( i) is a schematic showing the arrangement of a weaving machinefor use in the methods of the invention.

FIG. 1( ii) is a schematic representation of a woven fabric of theinvention showing the warp and weft yarn arrangement and illustratinghow the width of the fabric can be controlled by varying the feed speedof the weft yarn during the weaving process.

FIG. 1( iii): photograph of actual length of fabric having variablewidth.

FIG. 2A: shows exemplary lengths of fabric having different variablewidth Designs.

FIG. 2B: photograph of actual fabric having variable width designs shownin FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C: corresponding weft yarn feed speeds used to achieve the widthvariations A to D shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B).

FIG. 3( a)(a-1)(a-2): exemplary weaving plan and a preferred fabricconstruction according to the invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B: schematic showing how the width of a preferred fabricof the invention increases (FIG. 4B) as compared to its width in arelaxed state (FIG. 4A) when a longitudinal load is applied to thefabric.

FIG. 4C: drawings in plan and construction of the fabric shown in FIGS.4A and 4B.

FIG. 4D: photographs showing width extensions of actual fabric.

FIG. 5: schematic showing arrangement of warp and weft yarns to achieveportions along the length of the fabric having different elasticmodulus/stretch properties.

FIG. 6: shows variation in speed of take-off roller used to achievevariations in stretch properties seen in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7: photograph of tapered fabric of the invention in the form of abra wing. Outer edge portions (“power bands”) have a different stretchproperty than the inner body panel. However the entire bra wing is madeas a single fabric using the weaving methods of the invention.

FIG. 8: photograph of a conventional bra wing construction. Elasticstrips are stitched or bonded to a non-elastic fabric panel which is cutto achieve a tapered shape. The attachment of the elastic strips formsseams which adversely affects comfort for a wearer.

FIG. 9A: shows weave construction of the preferred fabric of theinvention for use as a bra wing shown in FIG. 7. The underarm andunder-band outer edge portions have a high warp density.

FIG. 9B: shows the drawing-in plan and weave construction of the innerbody panel of the fabric shown in FIG. 7.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Variable Width Fabric

The width of various types of narrow elastic and non elastic tapes canbe altered along the length at predefined positions using a standardnarrow fabric weaving or jacquard weaving loom. The resultant productcan be used for many applications and few options are as follows.

-   1. Shoulder straps of ladies undergarments (bra's or camisoles) as    the wide area can be positioned over the shoulder to reduce the    pressure thus make the garment comfortable.-   2. Waist bands of apparel as the wider area positioned to the front    will help to control the stomach better. If the wider area is    positioned to the side it will help to suite the natural curves of    the body, especially on women.-   3. Shoulder straps for cameras, Camcorders or any equipment that is    required carry over the shoulder.-   4. Straps of Bags.-   5. Decorative straps-   6. Bra wings-   7. Tubular fabrics, such as fabrics for housing an underwire in an    underwired garment (such as a brassiere or swimming costume).

Normally the width of a narrow tape is entirely dependent on the widthof the front read and the feed/tension of the weft yarn. Both theseparameters are constant once set, hence products woven using thesemachines end up having a consistent width through out its length.

In order to achieve various widths at different places along the lengthof the elastic fabric according to the invention it is preferred thatthe feed/speed of the weft yarn is varied at pre-defined places whilstthe weaving machine is in continuous operation, without interrupting therest of its functions.

Preferred elastomeric yarn for use in the methods of the inventionincludes “spandex” or “elastane” which is a block copolymer ofpolyurethane and polyethylene glycol. Trademarks associated with spandexproducts include Lycra™, Elaspam™, ROICA™, Darlaston™ and Linel™.

Spandex is produced as monofilament or fused multifilament yarns in avariety of deniers, as is well known in the art.

Upon application of a tensile load at room temperature, elastomeric yarnsuch as spandex can be stretched without breaking to more than twice itsnormal length in a relaxed state. When the tensile load is released theelastomeric yarn immediately returns to its original (relaxed) length.

Spandex (Elastane™) or another elastomeric yarn can be used in it's bareform or covered ones (single covered) or twice (double covered) or evenair covered with another textile yarn (Nylon, Polyester, Rayon . . .etc). The advantage in using an elastomeric yarn is that even when thefeed speed is reduced to a great extent, it only gets stretched out anddoes not break. Further, it also gets woven into the product undertension in its stretched out form and contracts the product once thewoven fabric passes the front reed of the weaving machine. It isimportant to note that when an elastomeric yarn such as spandex is usedas the weft yarn a width reduction of upto 50% can be achieved comparedto 15% that can be achieved when using a non-elastomeric textile yarn.

Procedure

Control of the speed at which the weft yarn is fed is accomplished bymeans of a sensor, a micro controller and an electric motor that are allinterconnected (see FIG. 1( i)).

Sensor: The prime function of the sensor is to identify each revolutionof the Main Shaft while the machine is in operations. Each revolution ofthe Main shaft is equivalent to a pick. This information is fed in tothe microcontroller so that it can keep a count on picks of the repeatwhile the machine is in operation.

Electric Motor: Drives the weft transport units and varies its speedbased on the instruction that it receives from the Micro Controller. Theweft transport unit is normally driven through a series of pulleys andbelts connected to the main or the crank shaft. This drive is dismantledwhen fixing the electric motor because in this new set-up the motor isconnected directly to the weft transport unit through a belt making itoperate independently of the main motor of the weaving machine.

A Micro Controller: A programmable device which controls the speed ofthe motor that is fixed to the weft transport unit. The inputs to theMicro controller are signals from the sensor which help it to count thepicks while the woven machine is in operation and the Data inputs. Thedata input is the instruction that we feed which advice the motor tochange its speed from R1 to R2 from pick P1 to P2. Speed values (R1, R2,R3 . . . Rx) are set based on the desired width at different points andthe shape in which the width should be varied is set by the number ofpicks (P1, P2, P3 . . . Px) over which the speed change is done. (SeeFIG. 2)

Width Increase when Fabric is Stretched

Another feature of the invention is that when the fabric is stretched toits maximum extent, it increases its width by about 10-15% compared toits width in a relaxed state. This is advantageous because the increasedwidth spreads the load over a larger area. Hence the pressure that awearer feels will be less on the shoulder and thus will be morecomfortable.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the elastomeric weft yarn (e.g.Spandex/Elastane) is fed in under tension (at a low rate) it gets wovenin stretched out and when the length of woven fabric comes out of thetake off rollers it contracts across its width. This contraction causesthe down points of the face warp yarns (which works on a 7 up 1 downweave and up points of the back yarns that works on a 7 down 1 up weave)to move underneath 7 up floats and 7 down floats respectively. Since theelastomeric warp yarns are stretched out on the loom lengthwise, when itretracts back (lengthwise) once it comes out of the take off rollers,all the non-elastic yarns specially the 7 down and 7 up floats jut outof the surface creating a space underneath it. This makes it easier forthe single up and single down points of the warp to move underneaththose floats.

When the elastic is stretched to its maximum extent, once thenon-elastomeric warp yarns get stretched overcoming the crimp, thesingle up points and single down points move out from underneath thelong warp floats and orient parallel to each other, resulting in anincrease of width by about 10%-15%.

The given construction is only an example and similar products can bemade using various different configurations using the above principle.

Example 2 Variable Stretch/Modulus Elastic

The stretch of woven elastic fabric is primarily dependent on thestretch of the elastomeric yarn, rate at which the elastomeric yarn isfed, weave construction; warp density and the pick density (picks percentimetre). However for a given product all the parameters except theweave construction are uniform throughout the weaving process. Hence theresultant elastic fabric ends up with uniform stretch and modulus rightalong its length. By using a jacquard machine, one can change the weaveconstruction to different areas to give different stretch and modulusproperties. When the construction is with a tight weave the stretchbecomes low and when the construction is loose the stretch becomes highand the modulus becomes low. For example at one part the non elasticwarp yarns work on a 1 up 1 down weave working opposite to theelastomeric/rubber yarns which also work on a 1 up 1 down weave one willend up with a very low stretch and high modulus) compared to a 2 in 2 or3 in 3 weave construction. However with this method it is not possibleto achieve specific stretch values because not only the stretch gain orloss is limited the weave combinations that can be used are limited too.

Control of pick density at portions along the length of the fabric isachieved by controlling the speed of the take-off roller withoutinterrupting the other operations of the machine during the weavingprocess. The pick density of a fabric product is primarily dependent onthe surface speed of the take-off rollers.

${{Machine}\mspace{14mu} {picks}\mspace{14mu} {per}\mspace{14mu} {centimetre}} = \frac{{Picks}\mspace{14mu} {per}\mspace{14mu} {minute}}{{Surface}\mspace{14mu} {speed}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {the}\mspace{14mu} {take}\mspace{14mu} {off}\mspace{14mu} {roller}}$Picks  per  minute = RPM  of  the  main  ShaftSurface  speed  of  the  take  roller = Circumference  of  the  take  off  roller × RPM  of  the  take  off  roller.

As mentioned above, with conventional narrow fabric woven or Jacquardweaving looms, the machine picks per centimetre is uniform throughoutthe weaving process because the take-off roller is worked by a series ofgear wheels driven from the main shaft where the gear ratio is fixedonce set. The speed of the main shaft is consistent throughout theprocess of weaving.

The machine for varying the stretch and modulus along the length of thefabric is like that used to make fabric of variable width according toExample 1. However, the machine is equipped with means (an additionalelectric motor) to vary the speed of the take-off roller while theweaving process is in operation without interrupting any otheroperations. In order to do the above modification the transmission fromthe main shaft to the take-off roller has to be dismantled. Theadditional electric motor is also connected to the microcontroller andit can instruct the two motors independently to work at different speedsover different pick intervals.

The nature of any elastic fabric is such that, if all the othervariables are kept consistent and only the pick density is reduced theproduct will end up with a higher stretch compared to the originalproduct, similarly if the pick density is increased the resultantelastic will end up with a lower stretch. Since the speed of thetake-off roller is varied which in turn changes the pick density, anelastic fabric with portions along its length having different stretchproperties can be produced according to the invention.

Example 3 Bra Wing

Using the variable width methods of the invention an elastic fabric canbe made to the tapered shape of a bra wing (as shown in FIG. 7). Sincean elastomeric yarn is used for the weft, the resultant fabric has astretch both lengthwise as well as widthwise. By using very fine singlecovered elastomeric yarn, e.g. spandex, along the length, a quite thinfabric can be woven which is very similar to a conventional bra wingpanel fabric in terms of the hand feel and the drape. Further, it isalso possible to achieve the features (“power bands”) that a regular cutand sew or bonded bra wing has where an elastic is stitched or bonded tothe edge of the tapered fabric panel, by either increasing the warpdensity at the edges or by using a thicker elastomeric yarn at the edgeof the tapered elastic fabric. This eliminates the irritating stitchingas well as the bulky seams of conventional bra wings and therebyincreases the user comfort for a wearer.

However, since this method of making a fabric can create a very strongmodulus along the length, even without having power bands like explainedabove, this product is suitable to use as a bra wing.

Further by incorporating the variable modulus aspects of the inventionand/or by using different weave constructions it is possible to createdifferent portions with different elastic modulus/stretch properties(“power zones”). Such features also help to create a better fitting bra.

Although example 3 relates to bras, it will be appreciated that theabove features of the invention are beneficial in a range of otherapplications, especially garment manufacture.

A particular application is the field sports clothing, where garmentshaving desirable elastic modulus/stretch properties have been shown toenhance comfort and athletic performance.

Example 4 Tubular Fabric Production from a Flat Fabric

A further embodiment of the invention relates to the production of atubular fabric from a flat (or “open”) form of the fabric of theinvention.

The flat fabric can be formed into a tubular fabric by a variety ofmethods. For example, the OB1 AT116 system produced by Sew Systems Ltd.,53 Iliffe Avenue, Odeby, Leicester, LE5 5LH, England, provides aconvenient automated method whereby flat fabric is passed through afolder system which takes the single flat strip and forms it into atubular form which can be sewn into a garment.

As the flat fabric is sewn into the garment, an underwire (such as a brawire) can be inserted as the fabric is formed into a tubular form.

1. A method of making a length of woven fabric having a variable width,the method comprising weaving warp yarn with weft yarn; andcharacterised in that the weft yarn is elastomeric and is arrangedacross the warp yarn to vary the width of the woven fabric along itslength.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elastomeric weftyarn is arranged by varying the weft yarn feeding speed.
 3. A method asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the warp yarn consists of or comprises anelastomeric yarn.
 4. A method of making a fabric as claimed in claim 1wherein the elastomeric weft yarn is arranged to produce a taperedfabric.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the elastomeric weftyarn is arranged to produce a tapered fabric by increasing or decreasingthe weft yarn feeding speed incrementally.
 6. A method as claimed inclaim 4 wherein the tapered fabric has outer edge portions flanking aninner body panel; and wherein the outer edge portions have differentelastic modulus properties as compared to the elastic modulus propertiesof the inner body panel.
 7. A method of making a length of woven fabriccomprising weaving warp yarn and elastomeric weft yarn; wherein eitherthe pick density, the warp density, or both the pick density and warpdensity is varied during weaving to produce two or more portions alongeither the length, the width, or both the length and width of the wovenfabric having different elastic modulus properties.
 8. A method ofmaking a length of woven fabric comprising weaving elastomeric warp yarnwith elastomeric weft yarn under tension, whereby the width of the wovenfabric increases compared to its width in a relaxed state upon applyinga longitudinal load to the fabric.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 1further comprising a step of incorporating the length of fabric into atextile article.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the textilearticle is an article of clothing.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 9wherein the fabric is incorporated as all or part of a shoulder strap orwaistband.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the article ofclothing is a bra.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lengthof fabric is incorporated into a non-textile article as all or part of ashoulder strap.
 14. A length of woven elastic fabric obtainable by amethod as claimed in claim 1 the fabric having along its length two ormore portions of different width.
 15. A length of woven fabric havingtwo or more portions of different width along its length; wherein thefabric comprises elastomeric weft yarn arranged across warp yarn.
 16. Alength of woven fabric as claimed in claim 14 wherein the fabric istapered.
 17. A length of woven fabric as claimed in claim 14 wherein thewarp yarn consists of or comprises an elastomeric yarn.
 18. A length ofwoven fabric comprising warp yarn and elastomeric weft yarn;characterised in that the elastomeric weft yarn is arranged whereby thewidth of the fabric can be increased compared to its width in a relaxedstate by applying a longitudinal load to the fabric.
 19. A length ofwoven fabric comprising elastomeric weft yarn arranged across warp yarn;wherein either the pick density, the warp density, or both the pickdensity and the warp density varies along either the length, the width,or both the length and width of the woven fabric to produce two or moreportions having different elastic modulus properties.
 20. A tubularfabric formed from a length of woven fabric as defined in claim
 14. 21.A textile article incorporating a length of fabric as claimed in claim14.
 22. A textile article as claimed in claim 21 wherein the article isan article of clothing.
 23. An article as claimed in claim 22 selectedfrom sportswear and undergarments.
 24. An article as claimed in claim 21wherein the length of fabric is incorporated as all or part of ashoulder strap.
 25. An article as claimed in claim 22 wherein the lengthof fabric is incorporated as all or part of a waist band.
 26. Anon-textile article which incorporates a length of fabric as claimed inclaim 14 as all or part of a shoulder strap.
 27. (canceled)